Informatics Publishing Limited

T. Sekar

Abstract

Sholas, which represent a unique vegetation complex, are very rich in biodiversity and support a high degree of endemism are known for their intrinsic values in terms of providing sustained water supply in the hills. They occupy the upper plateaus of the Nilgiris, Anamalais, Upper Palnis and Tirunelveli hills of Tamil Nadu. Shola forests faced severe stress from biotic interferences like collection of firewood and fodder, recurrent man made fires in surrounding grasslands and conversion into exotic plantations, which caused their depletion. Tamil Nadu Forest Department initiated several programmes for the resurrection of Sholas by way of fencing the pocket Sholas, maintenance of fire lines along the Shola fringes, regeneration of Shola species etc. Initial attempts of Shola regeneration using wildlings met with little success. The Forest Department in Nilgiris District perfected the nursery techniques for over 50 Shola species by mid-1990s and simultaneously took up artificial regeneration of Shola vegetation in the degraded Shola patches and old Bluegum and Wattle plantations in Nilgiris. In the present study, survival status and growth rate of 16 different Shola species planted in an old Bluegum area in Longwood Shola of Nilgiris North Division has been studied. The study results provide information about the suitability of certain species over the others and the desired mix of species for achieving better success in the artificial regeneration programmes with Sholas in Nilgiris.

Keywords

Shola Forest, Shola Species, Regeneration, Nursery Techniques, Tamil Nadu

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T. Sekar , N. Kalaivanan

Abstract

This paper describes the process of rehabilitation of a 3-year-old orphaned male elephant calf in Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, which followed an unusual course. The oldest cow elephant of the camp - 'Rathi' became its foster mother and nurtured a strong allmothering bond and maternal kinship with the calf. During the initial 4 months, the calf moved around the camp, showing normal behaviour of locomotion, feeding and bathing. It was then enkraaled for 3 weeks for training, during which it picked up the operant and effective learning more quickly. Christened 'Bomman', it turned out into a fine and playful animal within a year.

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T. Sekar

Abstract

The decline in demand for quinine sulphate, the prime anti malarial drug and the major product of Cinchona Department necessitated the closure of the Department by 1990, thus, among other things, forcing the 40 odd worker families at Dodabetta farm, Nilgiris to go suddenly jobless. Tamil Nadu Forest Department through its Nilgiris North Forest Division in association with Health for People and Environment (HOPE) initiated the process of rehabilitation, of these worker families by involving them in developing a medicinal plants production programme with the finaneial support from Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT), Bangalore. Over the last seven years since 1995 the local community gradually built up the MPDA area ineluding land development, establishment of medicinal plant nursery, plantations, harvest, post harvest techniques, extraction of oil, its packaging and marketing. Besides providing the members with guaranteed employment, the Dodabetta MPDA is maintaining the revenue generation and profit thus indicating that the programme is moving towards sustainability. The community also promoted group activities like formation of Self Help Groups, which are built around thrift and credit. As a consequence of the programme, perceptible improvement in the economic status of the members of the village committee is visible.

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T. Sekar

Abstract

Sholas which represent a form of montane wet temperate forests occur predominantly in sheltered pockets of the Nilgiris and Upper Palnis of Tamil Nadu. They are also recorded in higher altitudes of Western Ghats in other districts of the State. As Sholas constitute a unique ecosystem with vast richness in biodiversity and provide many social benefits like sustenance of water supply in the hills , their protection has assumed greater significance in the last few decades. Sholas underwent considerable loss due to land use changes , fire and pressure from biotic factors. Protection of Shola forests against biotic pressure by way of fencing pockets of Sholas , artificial regeneration of Shola tree species in degraded portions and eco-restoration of old Blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) areas with Sholas , fire protection are a few strategies being followed by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department to conserve and enhance the condition of the shola ecosystem. To involve the local communities in Shola preservation , a few of the interested citizens of Kotagiri Taluk in Nilgiris District have been formed into a committee called 'Longwood Shola Watchdog Committee'. The approaches adopted and activities that are being undertaken by this committee and result of such initiatives in protecting Longwood R.F. in Nilgiris North Forest Division Coimbatore Circle are discussed in this paper.

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T. Sekar

Abstract

Nature tourism travel is emerging as the fastest growing segment in tourism accounting for nearly 20% of all international travel. Wilderness recreation has to ensure responsible travel and in the process , conserve environment and improve the well being of the local people so as to sustain the tourism potential in such locations. Though tourism is at present pursued in most of the Protected Areas only as an incidental activity , its role in support of management is increasingly being realized. As the visitor's satisfaction largely determines his willingness to remain in the tourism area for a longer duration or return to the area again , a questionnaire survey to assess the visitor's satisfaction was conducted in the two Protected Areas of Tamil Nadu viz. , at Theppakadu in Mudumalai and at Topslip in Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary among the tourists during May 2001.

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T. Sekar

Abstract

This paper describes the salient aspects of four noteworthy achievements in the field of production forestry in Tamil Nadu State during the twentieth century. A brief background about tbe silvicultural practices relating to the river fringe and canal bank plantations, Wattle and Blue gum plantations in the hills, cultivation of Tea and Rubber and tank-foreshore plantations are presented in the paper.

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T. Sekar

Abstract

The ever increasing urban population coupled with growth of industries and the associated developments in the transport and service sectors are creating enormous stress on the natural resources by way of enhanced emission of air pollutants and discharge of effluents. Amelioration of urban environmental condition and buffering of climate in highly polluted atmosphere calls for systematic and sustained creation of green cover in form of green belts, avenues, tree islands etc in all vacant places of urban localities. Urban forestry differs from conventional plantation programmes in the forest areas in many ways, requiring application of multi managerial system and an altogether different management style. Public partnership is increasingly felt as the best option for ensuring greater success and lasting impact in the urban greening scenario across the country. As public finances from local bodies and government departments may not always match the total requirement for urban planting, the share of private contribution in this effort is expected to accelerate the pace of achieving the targets set for multi objective programme like urban forestry. This paper discusses issues connected with urban forestry in this light by analysing a case study from Tiruppur municipal town of Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu.

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T. Sekar , M. S. Karunakaran , S. John Joseph

Abstract

Mangrove ecosystems in India are subject to natural and man-made threats. Preliminary studies were conducted to study the artificial regeneration of Rhizophora apiculara and R. mucronata under two different conditions Planting the propagules in mud pots and burying them in the newly dug channels bas shown better survival and growth of both Rhizophora species than direct planting of the propagules on the cbannel. Tidal amplitude bas also certain inftuence on tbe above parameters.

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T. Sekar

Abstract

India is endowed with rich biodiversity and a vast array of natural landscapes. The State of Tamil Nadu has also got varied forest types and is characterized by diverse flora and associated fauna. Wildlife protection in the Madras Presidency received some attention by way of promulgation of few laws and declaration of certain areas as sanctuaries in the early period of forest administration prior to independence. More Protected Areas were established in the post-independence decades. With the enactment of Wildlife Protection Act 1972, species-specific conservation programmes gained momentum. Between then and the close of 20^th century, many more sanctuaries and national parks were constituted. The new millennium witnessed addition of more areas to protected area network and introduction of landscape-based approach for wildlife conservation, particularly for elephants and tigers. The State has at present 4,578 km² of forests, accounting for 20% of the total extent of forest area brought under PA management. The unique biodiversity significance of these areas, conservation measures taken and their results in improving the population status of many flagship species have been discussed.

Keywords

Wildlife Protection, Protected Areas, Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks, Tamil Nadu

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B. Thendral Hepsibha ¹, V. Premalakshmi ², T. Sekar ³

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Biotechnology, Alpha Arts & Science College, Chennai- 600 116, IN
2 Dept. of Biotechnology, Mother Teresa Women’s University, Kodaikanal – 624 102, IN
3 Dept. of Botany, Pachiayappa’s College, Chennai – 600 030, IN

Abstract

Azima tetracantha is a shrub known for its various therapeutic properties. Genetic diversity was analysed using RAPD primers among six accessions collected from different locations of Tamilnadu, India. Genetic distances were calculated using Nei's coefficient. Dendrogram was constructed on the basis of the similarity matrix data by unweighted pair group method with average (UPGMA) cluster analysis. The analysis with RAPD markers revealed wide variation within A. tetracantha that reflected a high level of diversity within this species.

Keywords

Azima tetracantha, Genetic Diversity, RAPD

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B. Thendral Hepsibha ¹, S. Sathiya ², C. Saravana Babu ³, V. Premalakshmi ⁴, T. Sekar

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Biotechnology, Alpha Arts and Science College, Chennai – 600 116, IN
2 Centre for Toxicology and Developmental Research, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai – 600 116, IN
3 Dept. of Horticulture, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai – 625 104, IN
4 Dept. of Botany, Pachaiyappa’s College, Chennai – 600 030, IN

Abstract

The leaves of Azima tetracantha (Salvadoraceae) commonly known as "mulluchangu" is best known for its medicinal properties. In the present study, the antioxidant potency of successive extracts (petroleum ether, hexane, ethylacetate&methanol) was investigated, by determining the secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, tannin and phenolic compounds. The free radical scavenging activity of various solvent extracts of the leaves was assessed by using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide radical (NO), superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical and lipid peroxide generating models. Reducing power and Vit E level in the leaves were also measured. The results show that the methanol extract of the plant A. tetracantha contains significant quantities of the antioxidant principles compared to the other solvent extracts. Similar observations were seen in scavenging the free radicals by the methanolic extract of the leaves of A. tetracantha. Thus the therapeutic property of the leaves of the plant A. tetracantha can be attributed to the antioxidant principles which scavenge the free radicals responsible for pathological severity.

Keywords

Azima tetracantha, Phytochemicals, Antioxidants, Free Radical Scavenger

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K. Sivasankari ¹, S. Janaky ¹, T. Sekar ¹

Affiliations
1 PG and Research Department of Botany, Pachaiyappa’s College, Chennai-600030, IN

Abstract

A comparative study of phytochemicals was made on leaf extracts of two herbal plants- Caesalpinia pulcherrima Swartz (a domesticated striking ornamental shrub) and Caesalpinia bonduc (L) Roxb (a wild spiny shrub) belonging to the family Caesalpinaceae. The leaf extracts were prepared with 4 different selected solvents for each plant to adjudge the major active principle in the solvent that has value in rational drug design. The qualitative analysis of phytochemicals encompasses carbohydrates, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, betacyanins, quinones, terepenoids, phenols, glycosides, cardiac glycosides and the results were the mean values of the triplet readings. The quantitative total phenol estimation has carved out the fact that the wild plants is contributing high values for the secondary metabolites than the domesticated plant triggering the notion domestication, the need of the hour for the distinct endangered wild medicinal plants shall be done without the loss of the quality of the drug, the property of the medicinal plants as a boon to the future generation.

Keywords

Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Caesalpinia bonduc, Phytochemical Analysis, Leaf Extracts

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T. Sekar ¹

Affiliations
1 O/o Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Chennai-15

Abstract

Human Wildlife Conflict is emerging as a significant wildlife management issue in Tamil Nadu in the last decade. The conflict results in severe impacts on communities in the form of crop depredation, property damage, loss of livestock, human injury and human killing. On the part of wild animals, the sufferance finds expression through retaliatory response from the affected people or the accidents leading to injury or death of the animals. There are many dimensions to the whole issue of Human Wildlife Conflict, which can chiefly be understood in two broad categories viz., wildlife and habitat dimensions and human dimensions. The wildlife and habitat dimensions are natural geographical features of animal habitat, increase in wildlife number, migratory pattern of animals, occurrence of stray/isolated animal population, shrinkage/degradation of habitat and corridors, diminution of habitat quality. Human dimensions include cultivation up to boundary of forests, cropping pattern and intensity, higher road density, railway lines and canals in wildlife habitats, development of human habitat space and urban infrastructure, large human presence in animal-dominated landscapes, life style pattern, retaliatory response from people, unscientific restraint measures, lack of awareness and inadequacy of frontline staff. Various management responses from the Forest Department, which include prevention and mitigation measures have been described.

Keywords

Human Wildlife Conflict, Wildlife Habitat Dimensions, Human Dimensions

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T. Sekar ¹

Affiliations
1 Office of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and CMD, TANMAG, Salem, Tamilnadu, IN

Abstract

An elephant clan with only seven elephants in Javadhi hills had occupied a vast home range spread over six districts. The enhanced elephant-human interface in terms of space and time escalated the human-elephant conflict and the resultant economic losses by way of crop and property damage and threat to human lives. Given the grave situation with this miniscule herd, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department decided to translocate the herd to the elephant camps after wide ranging consultation with elephant experts, forest veterinarians and senior forest officers. After obtaining the required permissions and fund for the 'operation malai', as the mission was named, it was decided to take up the translocaion of six elephants as a single, non-stop operation. With no previous experience of this sort, operation malai team faced many challenges in the field. Proper advanced planning, assignment of specific functional roles to the various groups, keeping on hand ready to implementable alternate options and adept handling of various activities under close supervision resulted in the achievement of the mission goal. It achieved lasting solution to a long standing problem of over two decades to the people of six districts. This operation has provided an idea about appropriate strategies and protocols for the development of standard operating procedures (SOP) for wild elephant or wild animal capture/rescue operations and their translocation.

Keywords

Isolated Elephant Herd, Eastern Ghats, Tranquilization, Translocation, Strategies.

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T. Sekar ¹, R. Marappan ²

Affiliations
1 Govt. College of Engg., Salem, IN
2 Paavai Institutions, Paichal, Namakkal, IN

Abstract

Electrochemical Machining (ECM), over the past decades has become one of the important methods in metal removal processes. ECM has established itself as one of the major alternatives to conventional methods for machining hard materials and complex contours without the residual stresses and tool wear. Studies on Metal removal rate (MRR) are of utmost importance in ECM, since it is one of the determining factors in the process decisions. In this work, an experimental investigation has been made on various process parameters involved in the Metal Removal Rate using ECM on AISI 1035 steel with NaCl aqua solution for three different electrolyte jet patterns. The effect of electrolyte jet patterns over MRR has been studied in detail and results evolved. Experimental metal removal rate has been calculated for different jet configurations and the obtained results reveal that the electrochemical machining of AISI 1035 by circular straight jet pattern gives better MRR than the other jet patterns.

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